Lupin Limited, as part of its major diversification into herbal sector, is learnt to be in negotiations with few South based Ayurvedic units and academic institutions for research and development collaborations.

The research collaborations are mainly aimed at translating traditional knowledge into effective drug development. According to industry sources, the company is talking to three Ayurvedic units including the Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal, Arya Vaidya Pharmacy- Coimbatore and Thaikkattu Mooss apart from the government herbal research institutions.

The Mumbai based TB drug major, which is shifting its focus into more profitable segments both in the allopathic and alternative areas, had recently launched 9 novel products in the herbal segment.

Though Lupin sources are yet to confirm the information about negotiations with Ayurvedic units, they said that the company is in talks with government research institutions for collaborated work in the area of phyto-chemistry and plant based molecular leads.

The company's herbal R&D pipeline has at present four promising molecules in the development process. Out of this, two have been already applied for ANDA that is targeting treatment for migraine and psoriasis.

The drug products already launched by Lupin are in the therapeutic range of diabetes, pediatrics, gastro intestinal, pain management and gynecology. These new herbal products of Lupin are GluDibit (diabetes), IQmem (memory), Pmensa (pre-menstrual syndrome), HerboHep (liver stimulant), and Ulsaton (antacid).

Although the company officially denies the collaborations with Ayurvedic units, Dr. Kamal Sharma, managing director, Lupin Limited had in a recent press conference announced that the company's herbal products are a fusion of heritage and science. "We have used the time-honoured principles of Ayurveda and married them to the advanced techniques of modern science to arrive at these products" he said.

At the same time, the company officials when asked about the company's efforts to collaborate with small Ayurvedic units said that the company is only interested in developing new herbal drugs based on own R&D.

Herbal drug market is currently a very attractive new destination for the pharmaceutical companies as the global market for herbal products is estimated to be around $60 billion while the Indian market is in the range of Rs. 5,000 crore. Of this market, ethical products constitute approximately 50 per cent of the market.